Laws preventing visitors from entering aged care homes unless they have their flu shot also almost totally ban youths from entry to such facilities. The Public Health Order was implemented in March by NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard as part of measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. A NSW Health spokesperson confirmed the order would expire on June 22, but would be reviewed closer to the date to determine if it needed to be extended. The spokesperson said it gives effect to the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee's decision that all residential aged care staff and visiting workers have the influenza vaccine, a decision that saw at least three employees of a facility in Bega stood down as they did not have the flu jab. The order does state its aim is "to deal with the public health risk of COVID-19", not influenza, and the NSW Health spokesperson admitted flu vaccines "do not protect against COVID-19 infection", but still said it was still an important step to take. "Influenza vaccination significantly reduces your chances of getting influenza, which means it also reduces the risk of passing on the infection to vulnerable people in aged care facilities," the spokesperson said. "There have been reports of people having influenza and COVID-19 at the same time, and this would be a very serious event for a vulnerable person in an aged care facility." A clause in the order is that a visitor must have the vaccine "if the vaccination is available to the person", with the NSW Health spokesperson saying the department was taking a reasonable approach to this requirement. "For example, if a person is allergic to the vaccine or has a medical reason for not being able to have it, then the vaccine is not 'available' to them," they said. "A person must seek a medical certificate or similar evidence from a medical practitioner confirming that a person cannot have the vaccine for medical reasons." READ ALSO: Trial drive-through flu shot clinic could be future model after COVID-19 vaccine development Also, under the order teenagers and children aged under 16 are unable to enter aged care facilities unless they are providing end of life support. The NSW Health spokesperson said this was "in part because children are generally less able to comply with the hygiene measures recommended to reduce the risk of COVID-transmission". When questioned on the contrasting government advice that allows students to return to school, full-time from next week, despite being unable to enter aged care facilities due to the risk of coronavirus transmission, the spokesperson said the facilities are at a particularly high risk of outbreaks with serious outcomes for vulnerable residents. "Additional precautions are warranted in these settings, including insisting on a higher requirement for compliance with hygiene recommendations than is expected in schools and other community settings," they said.

Flu shot law for visitors to nursing homes also bans children from entering

Laws preventing visitors from entering aged care homes unless they have their flu shot also almost totally ban youths from entry to such facilities.

The Public Health Order was implemented in March by NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard as part of measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

A NSW Health spokesperson confirmed the order would expire on June 22, but would be reviewed closer to the date to determine if it needed to be extended.

The spokesperson said it gives effect to the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee's decision that all residential aged care staff and visiting workers have the influenza vaccine, a decision that saw at least three employees of a facility in Bega stood down as they did not have the flu jab.

The order does state its aim is "to deal with the public health risk of COVID-19", not influenza, and the NSW Health spokesperson admitted flu vaccines "do not protect against COVID-19 infection", but still said it was still an important step to take.

"Influenza vaccination significantly reduces your chances of getting influenza, which means it also reduces the risk of passing on the infection to vulnerable people in aged care facilities," the spokesperson said.

"There have been reports of people having influenza and COVID-19 at the same time, and this would be a very serious event for a vulnerable person in an aged care facility."

A clause in the order is that a visitor must have the vaccine "if the vaccination is available to the person", with the NSW Health spokesperson saying the department was taking a reasonable approach to this requirement.

"For example, if a person is allergic to the vaccine or has a medical reason for not being able to have it, then the vaccine is not 'available' to them," they said.

"A person must seek a medical certificate or similar evidence from a medical practitioner confirming that a person cannot have the vaccine for medical reasons."

Also, under the order teenagers and children aged under 16 are unable to enter aged care facilities unless they are providing end of life support.

The NSW Health spokesperson said this was "in part because children are generally less able to comply with the hygiene measures recommended to reduce the risk of COVID-transmission".

When questioned on the contrasting government advice that allows students to return to school, full-time from next week, despite being unable to enter aged care facilities due to the risk of coronavirus transmission, the spokesperson said the facilities are at a particularly high risk of outbreaks with serious outcomes for vulnerable residents.

"Additional precautions are warranted in these settings, including insisting on a higher requirement for compliance with hygiene recommendations than is expected in schools and other community settings," they said.